Adding Ram: 128 to 256mb

I have W98 SE with a 433 Ghz celeron processor and a 6Gb hard drive.

Would I see a big diference if I added RAM?

Would this addition possibly mess up something else(hard drive, mobo)? The
machine is almost 5 years old.

Thanks for any input.

 

Hi Richard 99,

My comments would be that yes, extra RAM could give a boost to your system, if you are installing larger programs and using up more of your memory resources. If you notice that when you are running some programs that the harddrive is working a lot, then the system is utilising the swapfile to make up for a shortage of physical memory. You can also check resources using the monitors in Start > Accessories > Programs > System tools > Resource meters (you may have to install it from the Windows CD if it wasn't originally installed).

You can check for what RAM your system can use at the manufacturers website, eg:
http://www.crucial.com/

RAM is expensive, you need to weigh up how long your current system is going to last (are other parts soon going to get "too small ") to the benefit of putting that money toward new system in the future. So if your current system is doing the job well, that extra RAM could give it a boost. If you are looking to use bigger programs in the near future, then maybe save your pennies.

If your system is starting to slow down, consider what you have running on it. I found a system that had Win98, full Microsoft Office install, Norton SystemWorks, etc etc. They had installed more RAM, but it still went like a slug. I found it was a 100Mzh processor (CPU), so I reinstalled a barebones Windows, only Word and only what part of Norton was needed (and set the Antivirus to run when required). It started going like a racehorse.

Matt

 

Good info.

Just a FYI: adding ram will have no affect on System Resources

 

Hi Whitphil,

My system resources are pretty good: 66% free right now.

However, I have 1 mb left of 127 on my ram right now.

 

Hi Mattman,

I guess I am just putting off the inevitable. I'm going to get a new computer
soon with Wxp.

Might as well go to that forum and ask a few of the questions that I have.

I went to the Crucial site and the utility it uses to scan my system froze
3 times and I had to shut down with ctl, alt, del. (Not enough memory?)